Key Points
- Insider purchase: Director Ernest Michael Freedman bought 5,000 shares on March 5 at an average price of $49.21 (total $246,050), increasing his holding to 6,097 shares — a 455.79% rise in his position.
- Dividend increase: Walker & Dunlop raised its quarterly dividend to $0.68 (from $0.67), an annualized $2.72 and ~5.6% yield, with an ex-dividend date of March 13 and payment on March 27.
- Mixed financials and outlook: The firm missed Q results with $0.28 EPS vs. $1.46 expected and slightly lower revenue, while analysts remain mixed but the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $81.25.
Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) Director Ernest Michael Freedman bought 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.21 per share, with a total value of $246,050.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 6,097 shares in the company, valued at $300,033.37. The trade was a 455.79% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.
Walker & Dunlop Stock Performance
Shares of WD opened at $48.30 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.45 and a beta of 1.57. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 52 week low of $42.12 and a 52 week high of $90.00. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $60.75 and its 200 day simple moving average is $70.56.
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.46 by ($1.18). Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 6.81% and a net margin of 4.56%.The company had revenue of $340.02 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $343.66 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.32 earnings per share. The company's revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current year.
Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.68 per share. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. This is an increase from Walker & Dunlop's previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. Walker & Dunlop's payout ratio is 163.41%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Friday, December 19th. They set a "buy" rating and a $75.00 price objective on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Walker & Dunlop from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Citigroup reissued a "market outperform" rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a report on Friday, December 5th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Walker & Dunlop from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $81.25.
Read Our Latest Analysis on WD
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Walker & Dunlop in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 115.8% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 479 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 65.7% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 479 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 1,398.0% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 734 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 685 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 49.6% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 585 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.97% of the company's stock.
Walker & Dunlop Company Profile
(
Get Free Report)
Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of commercial real estate finance in the United States, specializing in the origination, servicing and sale of loans secured by multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare, student housing and manufactured housing properties. The firm offers a full suite of debt and equity solutions, including agency financing through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA-insured loans, bridge and construction financing, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and investment sales advisory.
With roots dating back to 1937 and its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, Walker & Dunlop has expanded its platform through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
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